Jacqui Smith 'sets the record straight' on convicts who painted home

Jacqui Smith: two inmates from HMP Hewell in Redditch spent two days decorating a room at the former Labour MP's luxury property

Former home secretary Jacqui Smith has defended her use of two day-release prisoners to paint her £450,000 home when they should have been doing community work.

Prison bosses have launched an investigation into how the pair, who were taking part in a back-to-work scheme, spent two days redecorating a room in Miss Smith's house last month.

On an LBC radio programme, which she was guest presenting, Miss Smith said she wanted "to set the record a little bit straight" and claimed the prisoners "didn't have anything else on".

The two inmates, from HMP Hewell in Redditch, worked at Miss Smith's home in the Worcestershire town as part of the scheme run by a local charity, the Batchley Support Group despite rules that rehabilitation projects should not benefit private individuals.

The former Labour MP donated an undisclosed amount to the charity in payment for the work.

A Prison Service spokesman said: "The decision to provide prisoners for this work was taken without consultation with HMP Hewell or the Ministry of Justice and was a mistake. Offenders should work on projects which help the whole community. The scheme has been suspended while a full internal investigation is undertaken."

Today Miss Smith said told listeners that The Sun newspaper had been "having a bit a go at me today because two prisoners who were coming towards the end of their sentence and doing work experience carried out about three hours' work at my house doing a bit of decorating".

She added: "It hadn't been cleared with the prison authorities in advance and they've now launched an inquiry.

"Well, just to set the record a little bit straight, these are guys that were working with a local community organisation in Redditch that gives work experience opportunities to prisoners... They do a range of odd jobs.

"On one day, when they didn't have anything else on, they did come to my house and do three hours-worth of painting, for which me and my husband made a donation."

Miss Smith, home secretary from June 2007 to June 2009, lost her Redditch seat in the election last year after becoming embroiled in the MPs' expenses scandal. The 48-year-old, who has two sons, was revealed to have claimed for two pay-per-view pornographic films watched by husband Richard Timney.